Change of Ways

by The Ravenwolf

Set directly after the the events of the Rat Patrol's final episode, the story follows Dietrich's path into an unsteady future.

22. Amazing Grace

Sam Troy stretches and yawns, as he wakes with a start. Checking his watch reveals the time to be 0550, too early for his taste. After getting Hitch and Dietrich to sickbay yesterday night, Troy has chatted with his old friend for another two hours, before tucking in. Not worrying whether Tully would miss him, Sam has let Browny talk him into setting up a second field bed in his tent and spend the night there. Now, the Australian Captain is already talking in a low voice with his Lieutenant Taylor and Sergeant Williamson. All three Aussies spare him a brief glance and then continue with their mission briefing. "They'll get the supplies I promised your Jerry Captain", Brown comments. "We've already organised five trucks from the Brits and Yankees", Taylor reports diligently. "O'Malley will stay on the radio to give us directions. I'll take three trucks out Northwest with 6 Jeeps." "And I'll take the other two trucks with 4 of our Jeeps down south", Williamson adds. "You still need a hand?", Troy asks, before realizing that he is missing his driver and second gunner at the moment. "We've got it all covered. Thanks, Sammy!", Browny declines with a friendly smile. "You'd better keep an eye on your injured lad and your Jerry friend." "Go tell him that again, Browny. Dietrich would rather swallow his cap whole along with his goggles than admit to that", Troy counters with a grin. "You gotta see that a week ago it could still have cost him his life", Brown argues with actual seriousness. "You took a lot longer than a week to start trusting me, Sammy!" Troy looks slightly flustered. "You're right, Browny, as usual." Captain Brown flashes a wide grin and winks. "Of course I am. The wisdom of age they call it." Troy laughs heartily and claps the other man on the shoulder. "I'll see you later, Browny!"

As he walks through the camp and passes by Dietrich's and Silberblatt's tent, the American Sergeant remembers the previous morning, when the German officer has gotten his change of clothes in a totally disheveled state in which he has even been called to the General. Considering his options, Troy decides to pick up a set of spare clothes for the Captain, before checking on him and Hitch in the sickbay. Recognizing which cot and clothes belong to whom costs Sam less than two seconds after months of invading the German's tents or bases and a few days of observing his friend. Troy gets their diametrically opposite character aspects regarding tidiness and order visualised before him now. One cot is properly made, clothes folded neatly and piled in separate piles for each type of clothing on a narrow field table, while the other cot has its sheet and blanket wrinkled and its pillow strewn lazily about with some ruffled pieces of clothing dropped onto it and a half-closed suitcase next to the bed. As he picks up a fresh shirt, pair of trousers, socks and shorts from the tidy piles, Troy smiles at the stark contrast between the two unequal friends, when he spots something breaking the neat order of the German officer's things. A satchel which appears half empty lies strewn on the ground under the small table, previously hidden from his view. Troy recalls having seen Dietrich take this with him at the evacuation of his fort. Hesitating for a moment, curiosity finally gets the better of him, as he picks up the container and unfolds it. On top lie the last pieces of the Captain's former German uniform, as neatly folded as his other clothes. Taking them out reveals a lot of paper, letters, postcards and photos, many torn or folded unruly. The uppermost piece Troy takes out is the photo of a beautiful girl whose image has been burnt into the American Sergeant's mind, the Captain's cousin murdered by the SS. The memory of Dietrich's torn apart room back in his base comes back to Troy's mind. Blushing as he remembers his quarrel with the German Captain on the previous day about invading his privacy by reading a letter from his sister, the American puts the photo back into the satchel with actual embarrassment. Then Sam continues with the uniform pieces, careful that the neat folding stays in place. Folding the satchel in what he hopes looks similar to its original state Troy puts it back under the narrow table.

Quickly the American takes his leave from the tent and turns toward sickbay. "You again, Sergeant. Keep quiet at the moment! My patients are still sleeping", Lisa Hartigan admonishes with a glare, knowing Troy and his usually loud behaviour. "How's Hitch?", the American Sergeant whispers. "Fast asleep, luckily. His arm's all swollen and we have to ask one of the doctors more experienced with snake bites than I how best to proceed", she answers with worry. "Dietrich's medic's quite experienced. He also saved the kid, Ari", Sam suggests. "Doctor Sommer is an excellent medic", the nurse assesses with unexpected enthusiasm and sympathy considering the man in a German POW. "And a good and honorable man like his Captain." Troy smiles at the statement. "They both are for sure. So we entrust Hitch to Doc Sommer." The usually fierce American woman agrees wholeheartedly. "Since you can't do anything for your Private, Sergeant, you can leave again." Troy shakes his head and shows her the set of clothes. "I brought some things for the Captain. How is he?" "Captain Dietrich? He hasn't woken yet which isn't surprising after the amount of narcotics I gave him to sleep through the night without waking from pain. His shoulder must be black and blue by now." Troy hisses at the mental image. "Best to leave him be then, you think?", he asks the nurse. But before she can even answer a young American soldier enters the tent.

Following her call of duty, Lisa Hartigan turns to the man leaving Troy to wonder what he will do now. Looking at the clothes in his hand, the American Sergeant decides to leave them with their owner at his cot. As he steps up to the Captain's field bed in the officer's ward, he notices the German shifting restlessly under the blanket and muttering in a low voice. From Dietrich's intonation alone, Troy can tell that he is speaking in German, as his English sounds differently. Frustrated, Sam intends to drop the clothes closeby, when a few strikingly familiar words make his blood run cold, as he makes out "Obersturmbannführer Waldheim" in the flow of words. Drawing nearer to the German officer, Troy recognizes a few more words he actually understands, namely the man's name, rank and division of the Afrikakorps, followed by what obviously sounds like numbers, even when spoken in German. Not hesitating any longer, the American Sergeant shakes Dietrich's left shoulder, while fixating his right wrist as a precaution to keep him from striking out. The German Captain apparently goes through some struggle in his likely drug induced dream world, snarling what definitely sounds like insults in his caustic manner, before reality filters into his mind more and more. Dropping his insults for a pained groan, Dietrich finally opens his eyes and briefly continues to struggle against his assailant in spite of the excruciating pain in his right shoulder, until his vision obtains enough focus to recognize Sam Troy who repeats his name in his usual horrific pronunciation. "Sergeant?", the German officer speaks hoarsely with an inquisitive tone that is laced with pain, arching his eyebrows in a silent question what is going on. Now that he has struggled out of his blanket Troy can make out that Dietrich's shoulder meets nurse Hartigan's description rather accurately, being black and blue from a single large bruise that covers most of the upper part of the joint where the board has struck him the previous night.

Instead of Troy, Lisa Hartigan answers Dietrich's question. "They need you in the radio tent urgently, Captain. Since you are already awake", she glares venomously at Troy who still has not taken his arm away from the German's left shoulder, "I can check on you and send you along." "I even got you a fresh uniform", Troy offers as means to appease the Captain. The younger man looks briefly stunned, then dons a wry smile, as he struggles to rise to his feet with a pained groan. "Sergeant, I would have thought that we have the times behind us when you rummage through and take my things", the German remarks sarcastically, before settling for a brief smile. "But thank you in this case. What is the special occasion for you to be so considerate?" The Captain clenches his jaws in pain, as the nurse is probing his shoulder meanwhile. "Browny told me some things that made me stop to think", Troy tells Dietrich with a more serious than joking tone who grimaces at the name. "Like how little time you have actually spent on our side and still have shown a considerable amount of faith in your former enemies in spite of being tormented by those who you should be able to trust." The young Captain frowns at the only partially coherent speech before commenting dryly: "You'd better keep your hands off that dubious substance the Australians term 'rum'. First Hitchcock loses his sense of self-preservation and rather his general sense completely, then you start rambling incoherent nonsense."

A strangled cry, as red hot pain shoots through him, stops Dietrich's speech immediately and Troy is relieved that he has never taken his hand away from the younger man's shoulder, grabbing him under the shoulder pit to keep him from collapsing, as the German's legs give out briefly. "Easy, Captain ", the American mutters, while the nurse murmurs an apology. "I am sorry, Captain, I had to make sure that your shoulder is not broken. But your previous bullet wound has been affected, causing you severe pain. You're anything but fit for duty." Gasping a few times, Dietrich hisses: "The negotiations with the Arabs require my presence. Whatever you do, Lieutenant, get me at least fit for that." Scowling at the lean German, the nurse grumbles: "On your head, Captain. There's a soldier out there waiting for you to come to the radio. Don't do anything to strain your shoulder and return immediately afterwards. " She points to the tent entrance, before adding: "I'll think of something in the meantime."

Experienced with the inability to use his right arm by now, Dietrich struggles into his right shirt sleeve, glaring at both Troy and Hartigan when they move in to help. "You'd better keep an eye on him, Sergeant", the woman whispers into Troy's ear. "He's just as bad as you in ignoring his physical limits. But he's got some 40 pounds less to back him up despite incredible endurance and stubbornness." Troy nods with a grim expression reflecting her thoughts. "Don't worry. I've got him covered."

After the immense pain of getting his shirt over his shoulder, Hans Dietrich drops the idea of repeating the ordeal with the jacket. Without painkillers, he realizes that he will be of little use today. Troy keeps a sharp eye on the stubborn German, as he follows him out of the ward to meet with the nervous looking soldier. Upon sight of the grim looking Captain, the young man salutes properly and announces: "Lieutenant Williams ordered to fetch you for an urgent radio call, Captain Dietrich." "Lead the way, soldier!", Dietrich orders sternly.

As they enter the radio tent, Lieutenant Williams already looks anxious. "Air Commodore Harrington is waiting for you, Captain Dietrich." "Thank you, Lieutenant", the German officer answers with a serious expression and takes the headphones with his left hand, wincing slightly as his piercing wound reminds him of its existence. "This is Captain Dietrich speaking. Forgive my delay, Air Commodore Harrington", the German officer speaks smoothly. "What is the reason for this urgent call?" Harrington's distinctive baritone answers: "You're not an early riser, as it appears to me." Dietrich frowns, as he can practically hear the sneer behind those words. "I am about to send my men with your supplies. Due to an urgent mission requiring air support, I have less men to spare than anticipated however. Therefore, I can only send parts of your required supplies today and will send the rest tomorrow, if the weather still cooperates." Dietrich sighs wearily. "I understand. Thank you for keeping me informed, Sir." Harrington counters: "This call is not just for keeping you informed, Captain. I require your decision which supplies you require most urgently and make a decision right now." The German Captain frowns deeply. If Brown's troops are successful, they can provide them with gasoline and food supplies for a day or two. Also if their negotiations with the Bedouins work as well as yesterday's interaction, they might be able to establish trade for fresh water and food. Therefore, medication is the most urgent and hardest to get by of all their supplies, the Captain considers.

"Commodore. If possible, we require medical supplies and drugs most urgently, then gasoline. Can we send some captured weapons, ammunition and explosives back with your men to avoid transporting them on our trucks, when we need the capacity for the prisoners, wounded and our supplies?", Dietrich inquires. Harrington appears briefly stunned. "Are you offering to send us your spoils of war in exchange for supplies, Captain?" "You are closer to the front and can assure that they are put to good use, which is still better than destroying them, if we lack the transport capacity", Dietrich replies seriously. "You were one of Rommel's proteges, were you not, Captain?", comes the unexpected question in response. The German officer grits his teeth, unsure how this inquiry is meant. "The General Fieldmarshal had promoted me to Captain and put me in command in North Africa", the young Captain tries a neutral, yet truthful answer. "I can see why", Harrington answers with a dry tone that makes Dietrich doubt whether the comment is an example of dry British humor or serious.

Intent to switch the subject or end this conversation to return to sickbay, the German Captain inquires: "Can I be of any further assistance, Air Commodore?" Now, the Brit's humor but also slight concern are audible, as he inquires: "Yes. Before that you may tell me how my friend, Harold Bracken, is faring." Dietrich smiles grimly, understanding the concern for an old friend perfectly well with how much worries Jakob has caused him lately. "As far as I am aware, he is recovering well, but has been gravely injured. Bullets wounds and burns mainly. I suppose joining tea and laughing at some humorous comments can be considered good signs of his recovery though." Harrington sounds truly incredulous now. "Major Harold Bracken has laughed at your jokes, Captain?" Dietrich replies dryly: "I believe he has at some of them and assessed that he feels quite entertained in our sickbay in general, Air Commodore." "General Atkins has promised me a chance to meet you, when you accompany his column back to our headquarters. I'm actually starting to look forward to that", the British officer comments dryly. "Take care of your camp and the men under your protection, Captain. I'll send you one of my most reliable aces along who's volunteered for the mission." "Thank you, Sir. Good luck to your men!", the German officer replies with a wary frown. As the static indicates the final end of the interaction, the Captain hands back the head phones and thanks him.

Raising his right arm with the subconscious intention to salute the officer as a sign of appreciation and farewell, results in an explosion of searing pain in Dietrich's shoulder. Unable to suppress a flinch and a pained gasp, the proud German officer struggles to not show his torment too clearly on his face. "Captain Dietrich?", Lieutenant Williams asks with concern, while Sam Troy who has quietly observed and kept ready for such a moment puts his hand on the Captain's good shoulder and answers in his stead: "The Captain's paying the price for his heroics. Jumped into a snake pit to save one of our boys." Although Troy's voice sounds as serious as his intention, Dietrich snaps: "Save yourself the irony, Troy. The laugh is always on the loser." The American Sergeant snaps back slightly indignantly: "You can't even accept an honest compliment, you stubborn Jerry smartass! If you want to call proverbs, I'd recommend 'let no good deed go unpunished'. Fits you far better." Dietrich scowls at the insolent tone and derogatory, but reins in his anger, as another call reaches them and Lieutenant Williams answers right away, then briefly speaks with whoever is on the other end of the call. "Sir. This is a Doctor Stevenson speaking. He claims to be the leader of a British excavation team who want to be evacuated now that the war becomes centred here in Cyrenaica." "What does this have to do with us?", Dietrich growls with his patience reduced almost to nothing by the pain his injuries cause him. Lieutenant Williams considers it best to let the irritated German officer speak with the other man directly and hands the Captain the headphones.

"This is Captain Dietrich of the LRDP", Dietrich speaks with a forced neutral tone. The voice of an aristocratic sounding British man can be heard through the headphones. "Good day to you, Captain. I'm Professor Doctor William Fredrick Stevenson from Oxford university. We find ourselves in a bit of trouble, as our digsite happens to be in the centre of a region which has recently become the centre of the war in North Africa. We originally intended to wait this out, but after several of our workers have deserted us and others have been abducted and murdered by Germans, I cannot wait much longer." Dietrich frowns, then answers crisply: "Professor Stevenson. Although I can empathize with your plight, we are a military unit and not charged with protecting civilians who have misjudged the danger of their work location." Stevenson struggles with keeping his polite tone, but his indignation as well as his desperation are obvious. "Captain. I appeal to your decency as a human being..." This triggers a reaction from the German officer who snarls lividly: "Don't you dare accuse me of being inhuman or dishonorable, Stevenson! I have the responsibility for more than 200 men, almost a third injured, almost half prisoners of war and the obligation to keep them all alive and respect international treaties. If I could move out, I would. But currently this is impossible. I can only offer to have you picked up by an American General's column on his return to HQ." Stevenson breathes out an audible sigh of relief that makes him even swallow his indignation at the officer's irate tone. "Thank you, Captain. That would already be a great help." "Call us on this frequency once per day to let us know about your status and stay informed when we could pick you up", Dietrich orders sternly. "We will. Good day to you, Captain." Stevenson sounds clearly relieved, before he hangs up.

Breathing a sigh of relief as well, the German officer hands back the headphones with a brief "Thank you, Lieutenant Williams." foregoing any military salute. In this case, Dietrich is relieved to get back to the sickbay as soon as possible to be provided with painkillers to which he is actually looking forward. "Come along, Captain", Troy smiles jovially which makes the younger German immediately scowl and eye him warily. Troy's good moods have hardly ever meant anything good for him. Nonetheless they both make their way back to sickbay without further quarrels, as Dietrich mainly focuses on keeping the pain at bay.

Once there, nurse Hartigan greets them with a worried expression. "You made it back in one piece and on your own two feet, Captain." Dietrich glares at the insolent American woman, silently reprimanding her insolence. "I have thought of a way to help you. We could apply local anesthetics usually reserved for small scale operations on conscious patients." The German officer frowns, then nods in agreement. "That sounds like a plausible approach, Lieutenant." "As your shoulder will be numb, you will have to keep your arm in a sling to prevent further strain to the muscles and sinews", the nurse explains to which Dietrich frowns, but finally concedes, as this is the lesser evil compared with not being able to participate at the negotiations at all. "Good. Sergeant Troy shall help you out of your shirt, as we need no further strain on your shoulder!", Lisa Hartigan states with such vehemence that none of the two dares to protest, even though the German Captain looks less than happy. Troy has the decency to leave the proud young officer to unbutton his own shirt with his left hand which Dietrich manages with surprising speed and dexterity the American Sergeant notices. After the demonstration of the younger man's sleight of hand abilities he should not be surprised however. In addition the Captain has already been forced to perform this task one-handed for several days now and has acquired quite some practice.

Once he has helped the lean German to get out of his shirt, Troy puts him under scrutiny. The bruises from the SS torture on Dietrich's torso and face have mostly faded with only the largest ones still clearly visible, but his actions afterwards have caused the Captain new injuries of various intensity ranging from bruises to deep cuts. The large bruising on his shoulder almost completely hides the bullet wound Troy himself has caused the German officer who has closed his eyes and breathes in and out in an attempt to get the pain under control. As the American nurse approaches them, Captain Dietrich slowly opens his eyes to eye both of them wearily. "I'll apply the treatment to your right shoulder, then rebandage your left arm, before we take another round on your shoulder and check whether the pain has become bearable, Captain", she explains her intention to the already wary officer. Nodding in understanding and silent consent, the German mutters: "Thank you, Lieutenant. You can start anytime." With a grimace between pained and a wry smile, he adds: "It's not likely that I will get any more ready." Troy grins. "As long as you can still muster some humor, you stand a good chance."

Even though Dietrich is clenching his jaw, he cannot help a few pained groans escape during the next five minutes, when Lisa Hartigan painstakingly applies small doses of the local anesthetics to different parts of his shoulder. After one such moan, when they are almost finished and the German's body is trembling slightly from the tension he has not dropped during the whole procedure, the soft yelp of a child causes all of them to look up. With an expression close to horror, the boy flings himself at the sitting young man and wraps his arms around his torso, crying: "Hauptmann." The shout is loud enough to wake several people in the officer's ward from their sleep, while Dietrich flinches from the pain the impact causes his bruises and shoulder. "Ari", he mutters with a weary tone trying to keep the pain out of his voice, as the boy cries on his chest. Forcing a friendlier expression onto his face, the German Captain inquires with actual worry: "*What has happened?*" "*I saw that you died like Mama and Papa*", the child wails desperately wrapping his arms around the man's slim waist. "*I don't want to lose you too.*" Dietrich's face looks even more pained than from the treatment of his shoulder which Lisa Hartigan has decided to continue despite his distraction. It always amazes her how the typically stern German officer warms up when interacting with the child and bears a truly warm hearted expression that makes him appear younger and a lot more sympathetic than his usual strict professional stance.

"*It was just a dream, Ari. I am not in danger of dying*", Dietrich explains with a serious tone trying to console the boy. "*Believe him, Ari! He's hurt, but not so that you have to worry*", the recently awakened Jack Moffit tries to support the German from behind which only works to make Ari more worried, as he stares at his chosen protector. Tracing a scar from a shrapnel splinter with his finger, then pointing at one of the large dark bruises on the young man's side, the boy inquires with a quivering lip and tear filled eyes: "*Will you get better?*" Dietrich forces a smile onto his face and his voice to sound calm and reassuring: "*I will. They all help me as they help you, Ari.*" Moffit smiles at the words, Troy and Hartigan more at the tone than the actual words they cannot understand. "You're a good guy whatever you say and try to deny it", Troy comments with a grin. "Troy!", the German Captain snaps at him with annoyance. "Shut up!" "*What does 'shut up' mean?*", Ari inquires curiously and Dietrich grimaces. "*It means that someone should stop speaking.*" the German explains with a forced calm voice. "*Why do you want him to stop speaking? Did he say something bad?*", Ari continues asking. Dietrich grimaces and throws a glare first in Troy's and then in Moffit's direction who tries to hide his laugh behind a cough. "*He said... something stupid*", the German struggles with his answer and flinches as the nurse puts her hand on his left shoulder directing his arm to cut off the bandages.

Letting Lieutenant Hartigan do her job, the Captain scolds Troy: "You're starting to be a bad influence for the boy without even speaking his language, Sergeant Troy." "It's good he considers you his idol then." Dietrich frowns and shakes his head in silent exasperation. "You know he's right, Captain", Moffit adds with a dry smile. "Showing you what he has learned has kept him motivated for hours. The rest of the time he told me stories about his family and how you saved them. You're like family for the boy, apart from his personal hero." Dietrich looks truly uncomfortable at the assessment, then sighs: "I've really tried to avoid this, as it will make it only worse for the boy to go on and live his life with a new family." "I've told you he won't leave you without looking behind", Lisa Hartigan feels entitled to sharing her woman's wisdom, as she finishes wrapping his arm. "I'm the last person the boy should feel attached to or to take care of a child. Not only am I a battlefront soldier, but also an outlaw and outcast", the German Captain argues with a hanging head. "I'd rather entrust the boy to Robin Hood than the Sheriff of Nottingham", Moffit comments dryly at which the German Captain snorts briefly in amusement. "Sergeant. I would have thought that I rank as Sheriff of Nottingham among your merry men. Whatever did the boy do that you want to do this to him?", Dietrich asks with irony swinging in his voice.

"You know that Robin of Locksley was actually the son of a nobleman who fought in the desert for his king and his beliefs as a crusader, only to be declared an outlaw by the evil government which had taken over and terrorised his country in the meantime. I'd say there's lots of similarities there, wouldn't you, Captain?" Dietrich looks actually baffled and slightly unsettled by the scholarly line of argumentation, while the others smirk. "Hey. If he's Robin Hood, I get to be Little John", Troy picks up on the theme with a wide grin. "Which makes you Friar Tuck, Jack. You're the know-it-all." "It must be wonderful to have a friend like him", the German tells Jack Moffit with his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You barely need enemies anymore." Jack smirks while Troy smiles widely ignoring the sarcasm. "I knew you'd understand the plight, since you share it, Captain."

Instead of another sarcastic remark, Dietrich merely hisses in pain, as nurse Hartigan presses on his right shoulder to test the efficiency of the narcotics. "That is unfortunately the best I can do for you, Captain", she tells the young officer with concern at his reaction and expression speaking of pain. "It is far better than before", the young German officer assures her. "Thank you for your efforts, Lieutenant." "I wish I could do more", Lisa speaks with slight unease. "You have done all that I asked of you without complaints or failure, Lieutenant. That is more than many of my men have managed", the Captain comments dryly.

As he intends to get up he realizes that Ari who has become quiet for a while has pressed his head against his left side and dons a relieved smile. "*Ari, what are you doing?*", the German officer inquires gently, puzzled by the strange behaviour, as he tries to struggle out of the hold without straining his hurting shoulder or harming the boy. "*I listen to your heart. It tells me you're still alive and well.*" Dietrich looks baffled, as the boy explains unbidden. "*I always did that with my grandfather. I heard when his heart sounded strange and I knew he was not well. Then the next day I could not hear his heart at all and he was cold. Father told me that he was dead and Jahwe had called him. I've wanted to listen to the hearts of my family since then.*" As the boy looks saddened, Dietrich and Moffit exchange concerned looks. Then Ari continues with a smile: "*That's why I want to listen to your heart. It tells me that you're alive and well.*" "*Did you do this with the others as well?*', the German Captain asks, astounded. "*No. Of course not. They're not family*", Ari explains without hesitation. As Moffit smiles widely, Dietrich looks in a tight spot and at a loss of words. "*Ari. We are not related*", he finally starts an explanation with a hoarse voice then clears his throat. "*No. But God sent you to take care of me. This makes you family.*" The German Captain looks as aggrieved as if the SS had murdered his men and innocent civilians in front of his eyes again and even Moffit spares both of them a sympathetic smile. "*Hauptmann Dietrich will surely take good care of you*", he assures the boy, seeing that the man himself is struggling with how to deal with the whole situation. "*Of course he will*", Ari confirms without a speck of doubt. "*Don't you consider Jakob family?*", the German Captain asks with a hoarse voice after having recovered slightly, giving Moffit a grateful nod. "*His family will be your family, Ari.*" The Jewish boy looks briefly unsure, then explains: "*Jakob said, when I live with his parents, that he will be my brother. And you are like his brother. Does this mean that you will be my brother also?*" For a few moments, Hans Dietrich is so nonplussed that he can only gape at the boy causing Moffit to chuckle slightly which quickly turns into a real cough. Troy helps the Brit to sit up to breathe properly, while he keeps a curious eye on the German Captain. "What did they say?", he whispers curiously into Jack's ear. "I'll tell you later, Troy", Jack replies softly with a grin. "Looks like our dear Captain will get a new family sooner than he would have expected."

Dietrich, who can hear him, glares at the British Sergeant for a few moments, but he has to focus back on Ari soon. "*Ari. I cannot tell you what will happen, when you leave*", the German officer struggles with how to argue his case, "*but if it helps you to consider me as your older brother, you may do so.*" Beaming brightly, the Jewish boy hugs him around the waist. Ruffling the boy's hair, the young Captain adds with a weary sigh: "*But if you do that, you have to call me by my name which is Hans, not Hauptmann. That is my ... former rank title. I am called Hans Dietrich.*" Ari briefly creases his brow in concentration trying to grasp the information, before he tries to link this with his new language skills: "Hello, Hans." "*You're a good boy, Ari.*" The German Captain smiles openly which turns sly, as he adds with a wink: "*Now go and wake your other brother and keep an eye on him!*" "*Yes, Hauptmann... Hans*", Ari confirms enthusiastically, struggling with the change of names, before running to Jakob Silberblatt's field bed.

"Why does the kid get to call you Hans and I mustn't?", Troy complains humorously. "Because he's my little brother", the German deadpans enjoying the American Sergeant's pricelessly dumbstruck expression as much as Jack Moffit who has to bite his lip to keep from laughing. "You know, Sergeant, the day you can argue as flawlessly that we have to be family, because god led us along ways which were meant to cross, you may use my first name", Dietrich offers him magnanimously with a voice dripping with irony. Troy still looks speechlessly from Dietrich to Moffit who both share a wide grin at his expense. "Yes, old man. Ari did indeed say that", Moffit confirms, before addressing the Captain: "I'm surprised however that you have played along with him so willingly, Captain." "Resistance would have been futile. I'm experienced enough on the battlefield to know when I cannot win", Dietrich replies with a wry smile and self-mockery. "Then you should know that you cannot win against your injured shoulder either, Captain, or your starved body. So do accept some help from us, the medical personnel or your own men who are your highest priority and obligation, as you keep telling us", the American nurse admonishes, as she holds out his right shirt sleeve to him. Deciding that not cooperating would be an even larger loss of face than complying, the German Captain moves his injured arm through the sleeve which turns out more difficult than he would have expected, as the limb has become partially numb from the anesthetics applied to his shoulder.

Smiling at his cooperative attitude, Lisa leaves him to close the buttons by himself. "Looks like we're gonna be friends after all." The German officer glares at her. "Is this some sort of blight you Americans all have contracted that makes your brains rot away with sentimentality?", Dietrich growls with irony. The insolent woman has the gall to smirk. "Sergeant Troy had better help you, if you intend to take a shower or change your trousers and take off your boots." The German Captain glares at both her and Troy, before looking at Jakob Silberblatt who has just turned his back on Ari grumbling sleepily. Sadly Jakob has never been a morning person. So much for having a friend around, when you need him. Hans briefly considers to wake him with their usual wakeup call from school days 'Steh auf, du fauler Hund!', but decides to not be that selfish and leave his friend be.

Grudgingly the proud German has to accept that with just one hand he finds himself truly unable to get out of his riding boots. "Fine", he grinds out making it perfectly obvious that the whole situation is anything but fine for him. "You will have to help me out of my boots, Sergeant. The rest I can do on my own." "Sure, Captain", Troy affirms and leaves the proud and self-determined young officer to take care of himself, as soon as he is finished. He has a really good idea how to help the German Captain. While the man himself stalks to the shower facilities on bare feet and struggles with his clothes one-handed, Troy takes off out of the sickbay. Getting out of the clothes turns out to be the simpler direction than putting fresh clothes on again, Dietrich determines through painful experience, as he finally drops the idea of trying to put on more than shorts and trousers on his own.

By the time, the German Captain makes his way back into the sickbay still barefoot he starts to question his chances of making it through the day unscathed. "Captain Dietrich!", Doctor Andrews addresses the young officer in a stern tone, as soon as he catches sight of him. "You've pressured my nurse into assisting you with your self-destructive actions." Dietrich frowns, then counters with a tone as dry as the desert sands outside: "The devil himself couldn't pressure Lieutenant Hartigan to do anything that she doesn't want to do." The American nurse grins widely, as she helps the German officer to get his right arm into the shirt. "The Captain's perfectly right with his assessment." Andrews looks from one to the other, before donning an understanding smile and winks. "Ah, I see. A matter of sympathy, not pressure then." Dietrich glares at him, as he snaps: "A matter of necessity for all our sakes." These Americans are really wearing his nerves to a frazzle.

As the German Captain takes a seat to consider his problem of putting on his riding boots without begging for help, two Australian army boots land in the sand before him. Startled, Dietrich looks up at the source of the disturbance and recognizes Troy and Brown bearing equal grins. Scowling, the German inquires dryly: "Is this what you call good manners in Australia, Captain Brown?" The way he pronounces the title and name, Dietrich makes it sound almost like an insult, yet Brown counters unperturbed: "In Australia we consider it good manners to provide our soldiers and even more so our officers with proper footwear, when they join our cause, Captain Dietrich." The last part is spoken with a scowl not directed at the baffled German Captain, but Captain Boggs and the half-awake Lieutenant Silberblatt, the only representatives of the U.S. army available. Especially the last of the two looks truly flustered. "These boots fit your size according to the file we have on you", Brown turns back to Dietrich who still eyes the Australian officer and the boots with equal wariness. "These you should be able to put on and take them off with a single hand, since you're a dexterous lad. They're not 100 percent new, but the best we could scrounge up at such short notice."

Realizing what the intention behind the 'gift' is, the German Captain picks up one of the shoes to eye it critically and determines that Brown's assessment is correct. "To what do I owe the generosity of the Aussies?", he asks dryly. "To being just as mad and courageous as a digger of old. My Dad would have been proud of what you did yesterday", Brown explains with a wry smile. Dietrich looks honestly surprised by the answer, but finally decides for pragmatism. Thanking Brown he tries putting on the first of the boots one-handed, when the German feels something put on his head. Sitting up abruptly, the younger Captain snaps: "What do you play at, Brown?" "That was Mickey's. You earned it for risking your neck to get him out of that pit", Brown answers with a more serious expression. "Did you even bother to ask me whether I wanted anything from a dead soldier?", Dietrich growls back. "I'm not in the habit of stealing from the dead!" "It's not stealing!", Brown sounds almost offended. "We pass equipment on like that all the time among our units or we wouldn't have enough left for all our soldiers given losses and troubles with supplies." "I am not part of your unit, Captain Brown!", the German officer scowls. "You are a LRDP officer. We're all serving the same unit", Brown counters. "Don't behave like a wounded cougar, Dietrich!", Troy finally intervenes on Brown's behalf. "For the Aussies giving this to a non-Aussie is meant as a show of honor." "I can affirm that, Captain", Moffit quietly adds to everyone's surprise. "Many Brits would envy you for the honour. It's hard to earn the Aussies' respect."

As the German picks up the hat and eyes it with a scowl, a yell makes him look up. "*Can I also have a hat, Hauptmann... Hans?*", Ari asks with pleading eyes. With a wry smile the Captain puts the hat on the boy's head. "*You'll have to learn to say 'Howdy' properly from the Australians or Americans.*" "You already sound fairly authentic yourself, Captain", Moffit confirms with a distinguished tone and dry humor. "He's right, Dietrich. Your American desert adventurer taught you well", Troy adds with a grin. "Please don't use my name instead of my rank before your first about 1000 German lessons, Sergeant. It really hurts my ears", the German Captain counters dryly. "As long as you don't call me a Philistine ever again", Troy offers magnanimously. "You really did that?", Moffit sounds amused and amazed. "Twice, I believe", Dietrich answers dryly. "We can agree on that, Troy. I am absolutely convinced that you will brutally violate my name before I feel the urge to use that term again."

"I also have an ulterior motive for my gifts", Captain Brown intervenes with a sly grin that makes the German officer scowl automatically suspecting the worst from such an announcement. "I would like to ask you to attend the burial of the soldier you pulled out of that pit yesterday, Captain Dietrich." "Why?", comes the immediate question in response. "I'm not part of your unit. On the contrary, there is a lot of bad blood between your men and myself, as you have reminded me of yesterday." "Because of this bad blood, as you call it, and since we came here to support you and your unit in spite of that. As one of our men lost his life in a stupid dare with one of your men, showing your respect would be important for my men, also to send them the signal that there is no animosity remaining from your side. The hat's mainly to show that we all belong to the same unit." Dietrich nods in understanding. "That is surely a reasonable request and it is a matter of honor for me to show your men, including the dead soldier, my respect." Brown smiles openly. "I didn't expect anything else from you. I'm asking you to wear the hat at least for the funeral." "I will, Captain Brown", Dietrich replies straight away. "As soon as the boy gives it back." Brown smiles at the Jewish boy with the sympathy of a man who has been the father of a boy himself. "You're a good fellow", Brown remarks with a friendly tone.

"And I am glad that you support me through taking over that duty", Captain Boggs interrupts their conversation, before the German gets a chance to reply to the remark. "This means that you will be able to take over your duties fully from now on, Captain Boggs?", Dietrich inquires, trying to hide the enthusiasm and relief from his voice. "I'll leave you in charge of handling, planning and coordinating supplies, as you are the unbeaten expert in that field and I really need the support at the moment, Captain Dietrich. I'm sorry for the pronunciation", Boggs adds with a friendly tone after his explanation. "Also the General has requested you for a few special missions, such as the negotiations with the Arabs." Dietrich frowns, but nods in confirmation, used to accepting orders from his superiors without discussions, but a protest against their immorality at best which is not required here. "I want to assure you that this has nothing to do with you doing a poor job, but mainly with Doctor Andrews finally allowing me to leave the sickbay. In spite of some humorous episodes, it is rather boring here." "You only say that, because you didn't have a language school running, Captain Boggs", Moffit comments with British humor. "Don't worry, Doctor Moffit! Neither Captain Boggs nor I would want to keep you away from your true vocation for too long. You can return as soon as the negotiations are finished", Dietrich counters dryly. "Your second student, Hitchcock, has already arrived after all." "But he's a gum chewing rowdy", Moffit counters with equally dry humor. "I am sure you can manage, Sergeant. In the worst case nurse Hartigan can support you in conducting disciplinary measures." Lisa Hartigan smiles widely. "For sure I will, Captain." "You're really the kind of educational example anyone would like for a kid", Troy comments with a grin. "I have always been", Moffit states with his most arrogant Cambridge scholar's tone.

"Can you release him right away, Doctor Andrews, Lieutenant Hartigan? Or would you rather wait until later to conserve his strength?", the German Captain asks, while the nurse fixes a sling around his neck to stabilise his upper and lower arm at the elbow. "We'd prefer the second option, but we can release him, if he wishes to be released right away", Andrews replies and eyes the German Captain with worry, as he grimaces in pain. "I'd very much appreciate to be released to join ol' Robin and his merry men. Thank you!", Moffit answers without hesitation with irony. "Moffit", Dietrich speaks with a warning tone glad for any distraction from his treatment. "Don't try to behave like Troy! The position of annoying, nonsense talking idiot has already been taken and we furthermore have Hitchcock as a backup", Dietrich remarks dryly. "Well, you Jerry smartass!", Troy shouts in annoyance, as Jack bites back a laugh that might prohibit his release and Lisa Hartigan looks equally bemused knowing Hitch. "I still can't relish enough how much you two deserve each other", the British scholar states with dry humour.

The German Captain has used the discussion time to get into his new boots using only his left hand which has been a challenge but not virtually impossible as with the German officer's riding boots. Ari hands back the hat after a brief explanation that Hans needs it and hugs his newly declared brother with affection. By the time they are finished with their goodbye, Jack Moffit is ready to get out of bed and into the open himself and almost enthusiastic about leaving the sickbay behind. Captain Boggs has already left to get a shower and a fresh set of clothing before breakfast, as is Moffit's intention. When Sam Troy intends to leave with Moffit, Browny takes him to the side. "Sammy, you've got to look out for your Captain, you know, Dietrich. He's a good fellow, brave and all. But even I can see the pain in his eyes and I'm not talking about his shoulder." Troy scowls at the unexpected assessment. "Dietrich's always had a good sense of self-preservation, Browny." The Australian officer smiles with a tinge of sadness. "I've no doubt he had that, when he was still a Jerry officer. But what I saw yesterday were not the actions of a man who has something to live for, only something to die for." When Troy looks worried, Brown adds: "You don't have to worry about your men or yourself. I'm pretty sure he'd not risk your lives similar to his own. The man cares about his soldiers. Rare quality in a professional officer, especially in a Jerry." "So what do you want me to do?", Troy asks his friend and former mentor. "Keep an eye on him", Browny advises. "He's the type of CO who needs his second in command to actively watch his back. I know you care whether he lives or dies, although he's a Jerry and a smartass as you've said quite often, so keep an eye on him!"

Only Dietrich can aim straight for the canteen from sickbay, but is unable to even carry his breakfast on his own. Luckily for him, Tully Pettigrew and Riku Gottschlich already wait at the mess tent for Troy to join them. Both volunteer right away to help their Captain out of his predicament unbidden, as soon as they see his arm in the sling. All officers around the table eye the German with undisguised curiosity, as he marches in front of the two soldiers with a straight back and his head held high in spite of the sling around his neck holding his right arm in a slightly bent position. Gottschlich and Pettigrew set down his tablet with food and a mug with fresh coffee that surpasses the dissolved disgrace usually termed coffee by the Germans or Americans out in the field. "Whatever you want to call it, Captain. Your men are behaving surprisingly well considering their reputation and history", Atkins comments after the two soldiers have left from the officer's table. "Both are known troublemakers, one with a criminal background who only avoided jail through joining the army, the other a half-Jap who has never stayed longer than a few months with any given unit and collected complaint after complaint from his COs." "General. You are without any doubt much better informed than I am, as up until now I was too occupied to even read their files. But considering that the people around here call me a kraut and possibly worse as well as tried to actively kill me until a week ago, I'm not really qualified to treat others around here with prejudice", the German officer counters with a stern tone and some of the men around the table avert their eyes. "I treat the men with the respect they deserve for their actions under my command, as is my duty, and they do so in return." Atkins and Turner eye him with curiosity, before the General replies: "I have possibly underestimated your qualities as a commanding officer, Captain. But I still need you for the position we have agreed on." Narrowing his eyes, Dietrich nods curtly with a neutral expression, before turning to the problem of struggling with his breakfast one-handed, as Atkins continues with his own.

By the time Dietrich has finished at least half of it, Captain Boggs joins the officers' round and finds himself in the centre of attention, as many around the table congratulate him on his recovery or bombard him with questions. General Atkins announces Boggs as officially back in command to which Hans Dietrich breathes a sigh of relief. The Rats are already grinding on his nerves without the rest of the American subunit of the LRDP adding to it. James Boggs takes the official reinstatement with dignity and gratitude for his recovery. Silently paying attention to what is spoken around him, his German colleague fights through the rest of his breakfast intent on minimizing his loss of dignity originating from eating with his main hand tied in the sling.

As he gets up after having finished, to coordinate their joint strategy for the negotiations with Moffit, a call stops him in his tracks. "Captain Dietrich", Captain Brown and Boggs speak almost simultaneously, then exchange surprised looks. The German officer has tensed into a fight or flight stance subconsciously, eyeing both of them warily, as he moves his left hand away from the gun holster to rest on his hip. The concept of Americans and Australians being his allies, not his enemies anymore will still take some time to become entrenched in his subconscious mind. Brown makes an inviting hand gesture in Boggs' direction indicating him to speak first. "I'd like to thank you as my second in command for taking over smoothly and handling affairs surprisingly well." Dietrich's expression speaks volumes of how offended the proud man feels by the last statement. Boggs realizes his unintendedly bad wording too late and tries to salvage the statement. "I did not imply to be surprised by your qualification for handling the tasks in general, but rather doing so under quite adverse conditions of your own injuries as well as being a distrusted defector among your former enemies, gaining an astonishing amount of respect in a short amount of time." The German officer's grim expression has shifted to a more neutral one which still contains some wariness but also surprise.

Brown eyes Boggs and Dietrich with a mischievous gaze that makes the German officer fear the worst and he is not disappointed. "I'm sad to hear that you won't be willing to part with him, Captain Boggs. We'd gladly have taken in a fellow who's just as mad as he's brave and smart among the diggers." If the German Captain could have folded his arms in front of his chest, he would have done so. In his current state he has to settle for glaring at Brown for calling him mad in front of the whole collective of officers including the American General, adding insult to injury. "I'd like to remind you of attending the burial of Micheal O'Leary at 0900, Captain Dietrich as arranged", the Australian officer continues with unperturbed joviality. "I have given my word", Dietrich snaps, offended to find his word of honour doubted in addition to being called a madman, "so I will attend. No need to worry, Captain Brown." "No need to get mad as a cut snake, good man. I'm just settling things with everyone", Brown tries a more moderate tone to appease the furious German. From what he has seen of his bruises and injuries, the man must be in considerable pain which would explain his irate reactions. "We won't require anyone else of you gentlemen to attend, but you are of course invited, if you wish to join us."

"If this is all, I assume I am dismissed", the German states icily and does not even wait for an answer, as he turns on his heel and approaches the table where his unit is seated. "He'd better take some morphine before the negotiations or he'll challenge the Arabs to a holy war or something", Brown comments with dry humor. "The last time he did that, a whole unit of Arab riders along with their Sheikh's son joined him to storm a German Major's camp", Boggs counters. "Really?", Brown asks with some awe audible in his voice. "Are you sure you want to keep him? I could use a man like that." "Unfortunately, Captain Brown, Allied headquarters and I have different plans for a man of Dietrich's extraordinary skillset in spite of his temper", General Atkins puts an effective end to the discussion.

The German Captain is intentionally ignoring what is spoken at the table behind him and wrestling his temper under control which is not eased by the constant pain plaguing him and wearing down his nerves. Troy, Moffit, Pettigrew and Gottschlich stare at him more or less openly curiously, as he approaches them. "Sergeant Moffit", Dietrich speaks tersely. "We have several things to coordinate for the negotiations. Please join me after breakfast for a meeting." "What's wrong, Captain? You look like an angered bull shortly before trampling something down", Troy states, succeeding only in angering the German officer even more. "Would you mind terribly leaving me in peace for once, Troy?", the Captain spits furiously. "Easy, Capt'n. We're not your enemies", Troy speaks in a tone as if calming the angered bull he has just compared the German with who scowls at his wording. "You should take a calming breath, Captain", Moffit advises in his calm and aloof voice. "The constant pain level is affecting your thoughts and actions." Dietrich actually pauses and considers his words reflecting on their truthfulness which tells a lot about how much he holds the Brit's professional opinion in regard.

"You may be right, Sergeant", the proud German finally admits not without obvious effort. "I likely owe an apology to some of the men over there." The Captain nods in the direction of the officer's table, before adding dryly: "Considering you advised me that not even Troy has managed to get himself kicked out of the U.S. army, I had to increase my efforts to test the limits." Briefly Troy looks dumbfounded, before he breaks into a hearty laughter. "Continue insulting our lead brass like that and we'll have to break you out of jail again." Dietrich actually smiles wryly at the statement. "Thank you for the offer, Sergeant. But at the moment I'm more or less enjoying 'Narrenfreiheit', considering Brown and Boggs basically declared me insane and nobody contradicted them." "A jester's licence, providing you with the freedom to say whatever you want? They should have known better than to give you that. You have a tongue as cutting as a sword and no less dangerous after all", Moffit comments with dry amusement.

"Take a seat with us, Captain", Troy invites the German jovially. "There's more than enough places to spare." Dietrich shakes his head. "After turning my back on the whole officer's table in a rather ... stormy manner, sitting down with you would add insult to injury." "I thought they'd already declared you mad. You've got nothing left to lose in this regard", Troy counters and smiles, when he sees the German actually pause and consider his argument. "They're already looking at you strangely, Cap. Might as well stay with us", Tully surprises them all by intervening. Sighing wearily and shaking his head in slight disbelief of the development of things, Dietrich finally lowers himself onto a chair next to Gottschlich, opposite of Moffit. "You're definitely the centre of attention now", Troy affirms, "and of their conversation for some time." "Officers are just as bad as gossipy women", the German Captain states dryly. "You really don't make it sound attractive to be one", Troy comments with a grin. "I am sorry", the young officer counters sarcastically, "I actually had no idea that I was supposed to make it sound attractive. I was under the impression that you and the Doctor have already made up your minds and for a good reason." "We have, Captain. But the kid", Troy points at Gottschlich while exchanging a bemused grin with Moffit, "still tries to become that." "It's best to give an honest warning in time then", Dietrich replies without reducing the level of sarcasm in his voice. "Don't worry, Corporal, you will find yourself confronted with a lot of trouble before running into these", he adds with a more moderate tone and a friendly expression in Gottschlich's direction. "Yes, Sir", the young man mutters with a slightly insecure look.

"The General has just reminded me to read your files properly, gentlemen. Do you want to share any details on your previous criminal career or do you want me to read them up from some official's point of view, Private Pettigrew?", the German decides to use this conversation to his advantage. Tully stares at him briefly stunned, then asks cautiously: "Why'd you ask me instead of just readin' the official file, Capt'n?" Dietrich focuses him with a strict gaze. "Because I value my men's word above any official statement. Who'd know better than I how deceptive they can be to make an innocent man look guilty than I?" While Moffit and Pettigrew consider him thoughtfully, Troy and Gottschlich look openly sympathetic. Chewing on his matchstick with an intent expression, Tully finally speaks tersely in his usual unemotional way: "Used to be a moonshine runner since I was a kid, Cap." "I'm not an American, but I can deduce from what I've heard and read that you smuggled illegally brewed substances containing alcohol." "T'was proper rum and whisky, Sir! The best ye could've found in all of Kentucky", Tully protests vehemently. Apparently his illegal homebrew is what his sense of pride is connected to apart from his vehicles and driving. "I have no doubt of that", the German Captain replies diplomatically. "But I might not be as well educated on American recent history as I should be. Didn't prohibition end a while before the war? What kind of crime did you avoid going to jail for and joined the U.S. army instead? America hasn't joined this war until 1940 after all", Dietrich continues his inquiry and notices the Private look briefly uncomfortable. "You wanna discuss this here? In front of all of'em?" The German officer bears his sly grin indicating a successfully sprung trap, as he argues with a silky tone: "Haven't we all agreed on a promise of keeping no secrets? In addition, your Sergeant has been talking my ear off for the better part of the last few days reminding me how tightly knit a commando unit is. It wouldn't do to keep such secrets from your fellow commandos who you trust with your life." Moffit silently congratulates Dietrich for being witty and smart enough to turn Troy's own words against them, as the American looks slightly awkward at being the cause for Tully's predicament.

"You're right, Cap. Heard enough of your story that it's only fair you hear something 'bout me", the Kentuckian agrees. "And Sarge and Doc can hear it as well. My Pa and my brothers Riley and Larry had some quarrel with the local Sheriff since way back in our moonshine runner days. When he came to check on our homebrew and make Pa pay some fine again, they clobbered him good. Problem was they'd hit him too good, 'cause the man was dead." Dietrich looks just as surprised as Troy and Moffit, while Gottschlich appears utterly horrified by the calmly related story of murder. "I'd been out runnin' some errand for my Ma, when I came home and they wanned me to help'em get rid of the Sheriff's body. And I did, 'cause they're family and blood's thicker than water after all. But, Lady Luck really hated us, 'cause the Deputy and some hired helpers stopped us along the road and blocked our way back, so I had nowhere to run drivin' the car with only forests aroun'" Tully gulps visibly, but nobody interrupts the epic monologue of his lifetime, as all men around the table listen intently.

Finally at Dietrich's inviting gesture to continue, he overcomes his animosity against talking and goes on: "They arrested us all, but my Pa, Larry and Riley told the Deputy that I hadn't killed the man, so I could get off the hook with volunteerin' for the army, while my Pa was sent to the gallows, but protected my brothers who had to serve their time 'cause of their records. That's how I came to the army pretty soon after Pearl Harbor. They tried to have me drive a boat in the Pacific, but I told you, Cap, I really hate water. Crashed one of their boats 'cause they take far too long to follow with steerin', when I tried to run one of my good ol' circles.I'll never drive anything again where I end in water, when it crashes! Afterwards they sent me here, where I can drive a Jeep at crazy speed." Folding his arms in front of his chest, Tully shifts his matchstick and looks at Dietrich expectantly, making it clear that this has been his acceptable maximum of talking for the rest of the day.

"I thank you for your honesty, Private Pettigrew. I suppose the official version is less dramatic and more biased against the murderer of a policeman and his accomplices", the German states carefully. "My opinion of you as a soldier under my command does not change due to this information, as long as your behaviour and reliability do not change. Is this clear, Pettigrew?" Tully looks briefly astounded before biting on his matchstick with determination and nodding in affirmation. "The same holds true with us", Troy announces and points at himself and Moffit. "Thanks, Cap, Sarge, Doc!", Tully finally says, then looks at Gottschlich. "I... I don't know what to say", the young man stammers. "I have to think about all this. I've never heard anything like this before." "We should have a talk at some point, Corporal Gottschlich!", Dietrich announces sternly and the young man salutes automatically. "Yes, Sir!"

"What did you tell the General when he brought this up?", Troy asks curiously. "That I judge my men by their actions under my command, not their history or background", Dietrich growls slightly affronted. "Good you have your freedom of speech, Captain, or you might face a court-martial within the day considering your currently lowered self-restraint, if you used this tone with General Atkins, even if your words are truly honorable and well-meant", Moffit comments dryly. "Please take some morphine before our negotiations though." The German Captain glares at him, before nodding. "I will. I'm not intent on sabotaging my own negotiations. Should we move somewhere else for our conversation, Doctor?" "Don't feel bothered by us", Troy assures him, "we can keep silent." "Without having your mouth sewn shut, Sergeant?", the German asks sarcastically with arched eyebrows. "I'll show you!", the American takes the dare. "How long do you bet on him to be able to stay quiet, Doctor?", Dietrich addresses the Brit with dry amusement. "A bet? You're truly a man of style, Captain. I'd give him five minutes", Moffit replies with amusement, as Troy glares at both of them, gritting his teeth. "I'd give him seven, simply out of stubbornness", the Captain replies highly amused to get the better of the American Sergeant who throws him a murderous glare.

"Which reminds me of another matter, Doctor Moffit. Are you familiar with an archeologist named Professor Stevenson from Oxford university?", Dietrich asks him with a serious expression. "Ol' Stevie, the Owl?", Moffit inquires with dry amusement. "I am indeed familiar with him. He and my father have been leading an academic war on the theory of the development of Coptic culture in Egypt for a decade, part of it was the classical rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge. What did you have to do with Doctor Stevenson?" The German Captain blinks briefly to hide his astonishment at the amount of unexpected details entailed in the answer. "The Professor called me to ask for protection and evacuation of his digsite this morning. I told him that my capacity for shepherding people is fully taken up by my POWs and wounded soldiers and I have no more for babysitting civilians who misjudged the danger of choosing their work location in the middle of a warzone", Dietrich replies dryly to which Moffit smirks, as does Troy who stays true to his intent of staying silent which comes naturally for Tully and the still unsettled Riku Gottschlich who barely listens to the discussion too focussed on Tully story still. "I can imagine that the good Doctor Stevenson was delighted at the answer", Moffit states with dry amusement. "Of course he was. He pleaded with my honour and decency to try and help them which I could not decline", the German Captain answers with a dark look. "Of course not", the British scholar replies with a knowing smile. "Let no one accuse you of lacking honour or decency, Captain! I'm surprised you didn't take his head off in your current mood." "Speaking only over the radio effectively protected him from my ire", the German Captain replies with self-mocking irony. Jack grins widely. "If you ever make it to the same country, you have to meet with my father. He'd truly appreciate making your acquaintance." "Doubtful given my current status and lack of international mobility", Dietrich replies dryly. "We'll see about that", Moffit replies with complacency.

"So should we focus on our joint mission, the negotiations with Sheikh Sulaiman's son Hassan about Major Graf von Stolberg's fate and trade relations?", Moffit elegantly changes the topic. "Has Major Turner shown you the weapon he would offer as a gift to the Sheikh?", Dietrich asks sternly. Moffit nods. "Indeed. It's even better than anything I would have expected to come up with." The German observes him with a cocked head. "So what would you suggest as a strategy, Doctor?" "We'd best introduce them to the General, hand over the gift in his name and lead them around the camp as a show of strength. The Bedouins respect strength in numbers and numbers are one of our true advantages with respect to them", Moffit advises seriously to which the German Captain nods. "Then show them the Major in sickbay, best sedated to avoid any troubles, and offer him in exchange for goods, food and water mainly, as they are of less value than a politically relevant commander."

"Should we invite them for lunch or offer them tea to show we honor the concept of hospitality, Doctor?", Dietrich asks. Moffit considers the question. "It would be the polite thing for any host to invite their guest at least for tea if not a full lunch. The problem is that we have to avoid pork and there is no way of telling what is in these meat conserves half of the time." The German smiles wryly. "These are luxury problems considering supply problems to feed all the men in this camp in the next few days." "Still it would violate the Muslims' beliefs to give them pork and offend them", Moffit argues sternly. "You're right of course, Doctor", Dietrich agrees. "I will have to give this as a special order to the kitchen crew. Best to stay with biscuits and tea." "Don't worry about it too much, Captain", Moffit speaks with surprising sympathy. "You have a special advantage with these Bedouins considering they treat you as an honorable and respected warrior, a status hard to obtain for Westerners. I advise you on carrying the dagger and saber as a show of appreciation for the Sheikh's gifts." The German Captain nods in agreement. "I will surely do that, even though I would barely be able to wield that saber at the moment." "I wouldn't recommend you to challenge anyone to duels of honor in your current state", Moffit states dryly. "Without doubting your skill with wielding a saber, you're in a rather poor state right now, Captain." "Unfortunately, I find myself unable to argue with that assessment, Doctor", the German agrees with self-mockery.

"I'm surprised you'd risk your life over Hitch' nonetheless", Moffit states and immediately notes Dietrich's change of stance, as the German's eyes narrow and he snarls. "I have always made it clear that my first priority and obligation is to my men, Sergeant!" "Forgive me for the offense, Captain. I didn't mean to question your honorability", Moffit consoles the irritated young officer. "I'm mainly impressed by your general handling of your responsibilities for the whole camp of your former enemies and dealing with us in particular. You're a much more adaptable person than I would have given you credit for. Also, I'm particularly astounded how you deal with the Jewish boy Ari. You really have a gift for dealing with children and the appropriate balance between compassion and strictness I've never had", Moffit tells Dietrich who briefly looks surprised, but narrows his eyes slightly again, eyeing the Brit warily, as he snaps: "What are you trying to insinuate, Sergeant?" "Nothing indecent, I assure you, Captain!", Moffit raises his hands in a defensive gesture trying to appease the German officer who appears particularly irritated and distrustful today, possibly because of the constant pain the man has to suffer. "I merely noticed that the lad treats you like an uncle or older brother and has already done so, before you officially allowed him to consider you as that." Jack Moffit's expression turns darker at the word 'brother' and his face remains grim.

"Sergeant?", Dietrich poses the question without speaking it out loud, as he notices the shift of the British scholar's mood. "I suppose they didn't tell you about my brother", Moffit speaks in a far too casual tone to sit well with the German, as the Brit eyes the other man warily, while pointing in the direction of Tully and Troy who looks slightly aggrieved. "I feel that it is my obligation to inform you myself then. You're of course aware of the aerial bombings against London city, the Blitz, Captain." Dietrich nods curtly, dreading where this conversation is leading. "Sergeant. You have no obligation whatsoever to share your personal story with me", the German Captain argues with a serious tone, before adding with a tinge of irony: "You don't have to copy Troy in every regard after all." A brief ironic smile flickers over the Brit's face, before it disappears into a stern expression, while the American Sergeant opens his mouth as if to speak only to close it again, as Jack speaks darkly: "I fear I have to share this with you nonetheless, Captain. All others, except for your young Corporal here, are aware of this. Keeping you in the dark would be ... inappropriate, especially given your ... heritage." His tone is distinguished, but gets more laced with pain and grief. Dietrich scowls briefly at the term 'heritage', but observes the British Sergeant with quiet reservation. He has promised Pettigrew the fair chance to provide his perspective, he would do the same for the highly educated Moffit, especially since he has never seen the man act so human, without bearing his cold, aloof mask. Moffit recounts with actual emotion audible that Troy is almost glad to hear, as his cold, detached murderous vengeance during the actual episode has struck him with serious worry of how the Brit would be affected on a long term. "You see, Captain, I had a younger brother, Michael. He was killed in London by German bombs." Dietrich tenses visibly and eyes the Brit with a mixture of wariness and concern. However in the younger Captain's brown eyes Jack can read actual compassion that he would have missed previously in the guarded German's expression.

"I do not accuse you, Captain, but I cannot say that I never have. Right after I received the letter, cold rage and thirst for revenge drove me almost to madness. I killed two German guards, not because I had to. Troy had ordered to only knock them unconscious." The American Sergeant is clenching his jaw by now and looking almost as grim as the Brit who relates the story. "No, I wanted to kill them for the simple fact that they were Germans, I wanted to kill all of them, all of you." By the time he is finished with his confession, his tone sounds not as coldly detached as in the beginning, but almost despondent, as if the Brit is mourning a part of himself he has lost forever through these actions. Hans Dietrich is not as shocked, as either of them would have expected. For him, Jack Moffit has always been the most calculating, coldblooded and thus the most deadly of the whole Rat Patrol. This only proves his previous assessment right. The British scholar has also made his ressentiments and distrust against the German Captain perfectly clear and they have both silently agreed on a distanced, detached, professional relation accompanied by some dry-humoured verbal sparring. Drawing himself out of his reflection of the Brit's words, Dietrich notices that Moffit is eyeing him and his reaction intently.

"You're neither surprised nor horrified or afraid", Jack analyses. "Which says a lot about what you might think of me, possibly all warranted. I would like to assure you, Captain, that I hold no personal grudge against you and I have overcome my grief enough to not wish to murder every German I meet." "I see, Sergeant. Is that all you wish to share with me?", Dietrich asks warily, eyeing Moffit like one of the Rats' bombs placed in one of his ammunition depots. Moffit smiles dryly. "I can perfectly understand your sentiment that you'd wish to be anywhere else right now, Captain. However, I see the necessity to wipe the slate clean with you, as we share quite a history." The German smiles wryly. "You could call it that, Sergeant. I am fairly relieved that you have no immediate urge to kill all Germans, although I am aware that you would have had ample opportunity to kill me, if you would have wished to do so." "I can also assure you that I do not share the American sentimentality, Captain. Likely, Troy has tried to come to terms with you in his usual overbearing way and possibly gone too far too many times already", Moffit states dryly, smiling inwardly as he sees his American friend glare at him in annoyance. "But I would wish to clear the air with you and give it a fresh start considering how long and often we will have to work together." Offering his right hand, he notices his mistake after a moment and stretches out his left arm instead. As Dietrich eyes him warily and hesitates whether to accept this offer under the Brit's conditions, Moffit adds dryly: "You don't have to worry. I'm not the hugging and shoulder patting type either, unlike some of the Americans." Smiling wryly at the obvious reference and Troy's offended face, the German finally shakes his left hand with the British Sergeant.

"There is one thing which I have to continue counting and cannot just erase, Captain. I hope you enjoy champagne." Moffit considers the young Captain's expression quite priceless, as he briefly gapes at the Brit, before countering with dry sarcasm: "Are all of you chronic alcoholics? Hitchcock fell drunk into a snake pit, Pettigrew's able to teach the Aussies new tricks about homebrewing, I don't want to start talking about Troy. That's for himself to tell. Well, Doctor, you at least prove that you have some style in this as well, making it champagne instead of what the Barbarian hordes call whisky or rum." Moffit bites down on one of his fingers to keep himself from laughing out loud, as Troy looks like he would like to hit the insolent German over the head and even Tully looks offended for once. "Are you sure you want to continue letting the worst of the chronic alcoholics drive, Captain? I was referring to something else entirely though. I promised a bottle of champagne to whoever has killed Hauptsturmführer Wannsee, the mad dog as I believe you called him. You basically admitted to that after we retrieved you from the SS and we arrived at that conclusion already on the very same day. So, if you would like to join the league of chronic alcoholics, Captain, you may do so. The champagne is on me." Dietrich is utterly nonplussed at the offer.

Many actions he has come to expect from the Rats including that they would be startling him from time to time with something totally unexpected, but this is so far beyond his realm of imagination that he finds himself at a loss of words for several seconds. Clearing his throat to not appear utterly undignified by just gaping at the Brit, the German finally recollects his wits to counter: "I hope you have at least thought of a good toast for the occasion, since you have had months to plan this by now." Moffit smiles with amusement. "How do you like 'To the victory of the righteous and the spoils of war', Captain?" Dietrich smirks recognizing the reference. "I hope you have a good and reliable source for champagne. I have spent some months in France after all." "So have I. Thus, you don't have to worry, Captain", Moffit counters in a dignified, utterly British manner. "I'm not like the rest of the merry men in this regard. You were right when you called Troy a Philistine when it comes to food or culture. Though not even my father dared to tell him that, to his face at least. He has written it in at least one letter afterwards." "You damn bunch of arrogant, stuck-up smartasses!", Troy shouts indignantly. Moffit looks on his watch and speaks dryly: "Almost 8 minutes. You win, Captain." "Thank you, Sergeant, for being so compliant for once", Dietrich counters in a similar tone, unclear which of the two he is addressing. "You really tricked me into helping you win a bet again?", Troy looks as baffled as annoyed. "At least you learned not to bet against me already, Sergeant", the German officer looks truly amused at Troy's fuming temper. "Dietrich, you damned..." Moffit smirks. "You were perfectly right, Captain. It didn't even last a single conversation, until you found your name mistreated again."

Captain Brown approaches them looking between Troy and Dietrich with an expression of utter amusement. "I hope I'm not interrupting something." "Possibly a duel to the last blood, if our dear Captain wasn't that badly injured", Moffit comments dryly. "Leave him alive for the moment, Sammy. I'm getting closer to convincing the Yankee General to give him to us", Brown admonishes with amusement, as he sees the German bristle with obviously hurt pride. "I'm not some livestock to be traded, as if this was a bazaar", Dietrich snaps with indignation. Brown smirks, as he replies with a serious tone: "That's of course true, Captain Dietrich. I didn't intend to insult you. The problem currently occurring which initiated the discussion is a formality of sorts. Some desk guys with lots of legal education and absolutely no field experience discuss whether to give you citizenship which you formally require to serve the army, as you stubbornly refuse to work as a spy. So it will depend on whether the Yankees or the Tommys will be faster in making a smart decision of taking you in, Captain."

Captain Brown eyes the proud German with a serious expression. "Apparently they didn't think about the formalities of an actual German defector willing to fight against his own immoral government, before offering you a deal. Our usual share of defectors is informers who expect princely treatment and protection from their former allies they betrayed. They keep their citizenship and cause no troubles living their lives happily ever after far away from the war, unlike you Captain Dietrich. You're a troublemaker par excellence already according to your German SS file, even if you don't snap at everyone around you like a rabid dingo." Dietrich looks like he'd like to jump at the Australian's throat, but keeps his temper in check and actually bears a guilty look at the final reprimand, as he grudgingly grinds out: "I'm aware that I owe you an apology, Captain Brown." "And I probably owe you more than just one", the Australian Captain replies. "Let's call it even and continue from here." With a wary frown the German officer nods in confirmation, then addresses the Australian with a serious expression: "I would like to suggest to use your soldier's funeral and ceremony for honouring all the men who have lost their lives in the past days, Americans of the LRDP in the raid against Major von Stolberg and before that Major Bracken's British soldiers killed through the same German Major. The men in camp need some boost of morale." Brown smiles at the suggestion. "I'm surely willing to do that. But then it would be appropriate to inform and invite the American and British officers at least. Would you accompany me to the officer's table to inform them, since it was your suggestion?"

Returning there is the last thing the German Captain wants to do at the moment, but he grudgingly agrees in the interest of honouring their soldiers. The joint arrival of the enthusiastic Australian and the almost a head's length taller German Captain draws the attention of the full table again. Dietrich swallows his pride to also provide an apology where this is due, but then leaves the speaking part to Brown who is undoubtedly more qualified at fast-talking. The German officer meanwhile observes the reactions around the table warily, keeping his upright stance and trying to not lose further dignity after the way the last discussion has ended. James Boggs' eyes light up at the suggestion, as do those of several Lieutenants, including Lieutenant Johnson who has arrived only recently after checking on Major Bracken. As the only one not previously present, the Brit regards the German Captain with some concern seeing his arm in a sling. Once the formalities have been settled and Johnson has agreed to represent the British unit, he approaches the German Captain offering a cup of tea along with the question of what has happened to him. Grateful for the offer, Dietrich provides a curt description of the accident and rescue mission while sipping his tea after taking a seat again. To avoid being involved in further discussions, he excuses himself with the explanation of preparing for the funeral right afterwards and retreats to Jakob's and his tent.

Captain Brown arrives at his German colleague's tent a quarter of an hour before the funeral. Dietrich has taken the time to carefully catalogue the dog tags of the Axis soldiers of three units, his own, von Stolberg's and Marcello's Italians. Writing with his left hand is not his forte, but legible enough to be transcribed or dictated on the radio. Brown curiously looks at the collected dog tags, before commenting dryly: "Looks like you're still the most dedicated German officer in camp." Dietrich briefly glares at the comment, before his expression turns more aggrieved. "If I believed for a moment that Major von Stolberg would care to do this, I would leave his job to him. But in the end, it's the dead men's family paying the price of worries and doubt, if nobody cares to even inform them of their sons' fates. This is the last honor I can show these soldiers. Which side they died for doesn't matter then." Brown eyes the lean young man with a thoughtful expression. "Read their names at the service as well!" The German's head snaps up, as he eyes the Australian with surprise and slight wariness. "As you just said. It doesn't matter which side a soldier died for to show him a last respect. Should also help to keep our prisoners' morale high to not attack us constantly." Dietrich's face bears the first open-hearted smile and expression of honest gratitude, Brown has seen him show out of the presence of the Jewish boy, as the German thanks him.

Swallowing his pride, the younger Captain asks for Brown's help with his sling and to get into the jacket of the American dress uniform. After having taken some aspirin to help with the worst aches from moving, he has to admit that Lieutenant Hartigan's treatment has worked wonders in reducing his pain level to a fairly bearable amount. "Don't forget your hat, Captain Dietrich!", Brown reminds him, as he hands him the Australian hat from his head and puts on the hat on Dietrich's table. "What is this about, Captain Brown?", the German Captain asks with slight incredulity at observing the switch. "I have registered your complaint to not take from the dead. I will take Mickey's hat and you get mine as a personal gift. That much I owe you." Eyeing the leather made hat with curiosity, the German officer notices the differences between this model and Troy's as well as the one on Brown's head now which is of lighter color and made of hard felt instead of leather. Noticing that the Aussie stares at him, Dietrich mutters a "Thank you " before putting it on. "You gotta promise me one thing, Dietrich!", Brown declares and the German tenses automatically. "You'll do this hat honor. I've had it for almost five years now and it's accompanied me into many battles; it's good quality, Springbok leather and survived quite some hits." Dietrich regards him with an intent look, before nodding in affirmation. "You have my word, Captain." With his right arm impaired, he gives a sharp salute with his left instead.

Troy and Moffit arrive, as the two officers leave the tent and appear briefly astounded at the change of hats. "Browny, you gave him your own hat?", Troy exclaims in surprise. "Well. My Major would point out that finally I am dressed according to our regulations", Brown answers with a wink. "Besides, I can honor Mickey this way." Dietrich observes their exchange with a neutral expression. Moffit who has changed into his proper dress uniform including cravat and beret eyes him with amusement. "You know, Captain, weren't you the one warning me not to become like Troy?" The German Captain glares at him venomously. "Sergeant Moffit. I value your opinion, as long as you keep it to a professional level", Dietrich speaks sarcastically. "Then take my professional warning, Captain. You'd better watch out with the Americans. It starts with wearing the same hat and ends with becoming 'best buddies' for life", Moffit comments dryly. "I appreciate your concern, Doktor Freud!", the German officer replies with dry sarcasm. "Always glad to be of service, mon Capitan", comes the dry reply. "Come on, guys. Let's shake it! It's bad taste to be late for a funeral", Troy admonishes them with good-natured humor. "Particularly your own", Moffit adds dryly, earning a wry smile from Dietrich and laughs from his other audience.

At the funerary site, an unexpected sight awaits them. In addition to Lieutenant Johnson, Major Bracken himself seated on a field chair with his trusty aide at his side has come to represent the Brits. The British officer salutes to Dietrich and Brown in aloof politeness that is typical for an English gentleman of his caliber. Also Captain Boggs sitting next to the Major on a similar field chair is not who they would have expected to meet here. "Lieutenant Adams will manage handling the camp's affairs for another two hours. It would be an affront to only send a German to represent an American unit." Seeing Dietrich scowl immediately, the older Captain assures him. "This is not meant as a slight against you." The German counters dryly: "I perfectly understand your reasoning, Captain Boggs. I still have to get used to ... swallowing my pride more often than not. I likely owe you more than one apology still." Boggs looks briefly surprised at the much more considerate attitude of the younger officer. "It seems your painkillers finally work. I still prefer a man with a tongue as sharp as his wit to one with both dulled, Captain. Unlike most of my other men, you possess the good manners to apologize after reflecting your actions." Boggs himself possesses the good grace to not look at Troy directly, but Moffit still nudges him with an elbow, whispering: "You should be glad to help your friends indirectly, old man." "Shut it, Jack!", Troy snaps. After checking on the state of the dug grave, all except for Bracken and Boggs return to camp to the site in the Australian where the young soldier has been laid out.

On Brown's command several Australian and American soldiers line up to form a guard of honor with rifles at their sides, among them Tully and Gotty. This marks the official start of the funerary service. Two Australian soldiers are standing as an honor guard to the left and right of the coffin of their comrade who died yesterday night. The coffin itself has been improvised from a crate for a bazooka which is less noticeable under the Australian flag wrapped around the wooden container, unless you are close enough. Six Australian soldiers pick up and carry on their shoulders the coffin of their comrade, Mickey O'Leary. Lieutenant O'Malley has briefly abandoned his position at the radio which is covered by his American colleague instead to be one of the coffin bearers for his fellow Irish descended soldier. Unlike Major Bracken and Captain Boggs who still are too unstable on their feet to follow along with the coffin bearers, Captain Brown, Dietrich and Lieutenant Johnson follow directly behind the six soldiers as funeral procession, each carrying their hat in the crook of their left arm. Behind them a few more of the Australian soldiers follow who have been close friends of the dead soldier and for this reason been pardoned from attending the recovery mission today.

Marching by their honor guard and fellow soldiers of Australian, American and British nationality the coffin bearers approach the previously dug grave in the sand outside of the camp close to the prisoners' area where the two officers are sitting. One of the Australians starts singing for lack of any musical instruments to provide them with a proper atmosphere: "Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, under the shade of coolibah tree,..." By the time he has reaching the chorus, every Australian in camp is singing along:

"Waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,

You'll come a waltzing Mathilda with me.

And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled,

You'll come a waltzing Mathilda with me."

While Major Bracken is unable to stand up, the other officers are standing at attention during the song and preparation for the intombment. "May we speak the Lord's Prayer for a fellow Catholic?", O'Malley asks, after they have placed the coffin on the ground. Captain Brown gives his approval and looks in surprise at Dietrich who quietly mutters the German version of the prayer. A few of the soldiers throw astounded or approving looks at the German officer, as he makes the sign of the cross at the end of the prayer along with all others who have participated in it. Some wonder why he would take part in a Christian ritual, something they heard the Nazis did not do. "Are you a Catholic?", Brown whispers to the German with some astonishment after the prayer has ended. "Lutheran Protestant", comes the quiet response. "I don't know the Latin text well enough for a Catholic." "You just proved to every soldier here that you're not a Nazi", Brown whispers approvingly, as he signs his Lieutenant to wait for him to say a few words. "In the Wehrmacht I might have been court-martialed nowadays", Dietrich mutters almost too quietly for the Australian to hear who looks briefly puzzled, then concentrates on his purpose.

Captain Brown gives a brief speech to honor their dead comrade, Private Micheal O'Leary, speaking of his fearlessness and daring nature. Before they commemorate their comrade in a moment of silence, Lieutenant Johnson helps Major Bracken to his feet and supports him, so that the injured man remains standing. The British numbers of fallen soldiers from the skirmish with the German Major include eight men killed in action and five further who have succumbed to their wounds during the transport or treatment in sickbay and Major Bracken reads their names with the gravity fitting for a funeral and sublimity coming with his rank. Then the Aussie addresses the American officer: "Captain Boggs will now read the roll of honor for our fellow soldiers of the LRDP, the brave Americans who like our British comrades under Major Bracken died in a fight against the German Major von Stolberg, the avenger of the Afrikakorps!" Boggs honors Private Barry Kensing and Corporal Neil Fenton in a similar way to Captain Brown, praising their courage and unrelenting spirit in battle. With a moment of silence they honor all of their fallen comrades. Then, Captain Brown bids one of the British soldiers forward to play "The last post" on the bugle, as by Australian tradition after the moment of silence. Some of the soldiers fight with tears, as memories of their fallen friends and comrades, but also their families and loved ones at home who might one day cry for them, come unbidden.

To their suprise, instead of continuing with the burial, Captain Brown then passes the word to Captain Dietrich who bears a grave expression. "After honoring our fallen comrades, we want to honor our fallen enemies as well, as a last show of respect for brave men independent of their uniform color or homeland." The whole area has fallen into astonished and solemn silence at the words. Several of the prisoners who have curiously gathered at their fence to observe the procession as a rare distraction from their boredom now shout to their comrades to join them. The German Captain indeed turns in their direction and repeats the words in German avoiding to use the term 'enemy' for his own countrymen in their native tongue though, choosing to count their nationalities instead: "Nachdem Australier, Briten and Amerikaner gewürdigt wurden, wollen wir auch die Gefallenen Deutschen, Österreicher, Ungarn und Italiener ehren." By the time, he has repeated the statement in Italian, almost every prisoner is lines up at the fence. Leutnant Haberfeld and Tenente Marcello have pushed their way to the front to get a better impression of what is going on. Captain Brown who has never experienced the younger officer switching between his native tongue, another language and English before, looks astonished and impressed at the neat change between languages where only during the first few words a remaining accent can be heard, before the German adapts quite skillfully to the spoken language's intonation.

Starting with the names of his loyal officers and soldiers executed by the SS, Dietrich points out the reason for their death as valiantly trying to prevent war crimes against civilians. Then the young Captain recounts as killed in action the names of his unit's soldiers killed by the Rats to cover his rescue, fighting hard to not show his own felt guilt too openly. With the detail and precision of the German officer he is by training, the names of the fallen Italian soldiers of Marcello's unit follow. Their former comrades have all folded their hands and their murmured version of the Lord's prayer with the Italian intonation of the Latin words can be heard. Dietrich lets them finish their prayer respectfully, intonating "Amen" and sharing the sign of the cross at the end, before continuing with his morbid duty. Meticulously, he states the names of the fallen soldiers of von Stolberg's unit and for the first time more respect than fear prevails among the Major's former men. The death count of the Axis soldiers is so high that in spite of his curiosity even Moffit has stopped counting after the fiftieth name.

After the last name, the German Captain waits for several moments of silence, feeling the attention of every man in the vicinity on him, before he himself strikes up the classical German funerary song not missing at any military funeral for more than a hundred years:

"Ich hatt' einen Kameraden,
Einen bessern findst du nit.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner Seite
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt."

By the second line, his own unit's men have joined him collectively, by the third even von Stolberg's former men sing along. The English speaking soldiers wait respectfully for the mournful song to end, before the six coffin bearers who have put ropes under the crate lower it safely into the sandy tomb without any of them sharing the fate of their unfortunate comrade. As Captain Brown wishes to dismiss the collective of soldiers, one of the American soldiers breaks into their funeral song and finds himself immediately joined by Americans, British and Australian soldiers alike, while their prisoners of war listen with devout silence:

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."

By the time they have finished, their comrades forming the guard of honor have raised their rifles and fire a salute for their fallen comrade and all other commemorated through the officers' speeches. After the third rifle volley has been fired and the noise of the gunshots dies away, a different unnatural, man-made sound can be heard droning in the background, as it approaches and turns louder: the sound of aircrafts' engines.